BAM
"Do you think that I'm an idiot?"
BAM
"This is way less money than last time. I can't even buy juice with this."
BAM
Another fist slammed into Tobi's stomach. It knocked the wind out of his lungs. His body wanted to curl up on instinct…but the two boys holding down his arms made it impossible. Saliva poured from his lips as he struggled to breathe. He couldn't even cry out in pain.
There was a cruel boy standing in front of him. Counting the money he'd taken out of Tobi's wallet. A bully. His name was Chris. Their meeting was unfortunate. Tobi had accidentally knocked a cigarette out of his hand a few weeks back. That was when this hell began.
A few blows later, Tobi vomited. His lunch splattered over the ground. The two boys holding his arms finally released him, letting the injured kid crumple to the floor. Tobi coughed for a while…His hands cradled his stomach. He was in pain.
"I'm getting tired of messing around with you…so how about this? Bring me $1000 bucks tomorrow. After that…I'll leave you alone." Chris said. It was a lie. It always was.
"......." Tobi couldn't speak.
Immediately, all three boys started kicking him while he lay on the floor. A strong foot crashed into his jaw…another blow slammed into his gut. Another on his back. Shoe prints soon covered his student uniform.
They didn't stop until the school bell rang. Once the sound reached their ears, they walked off. Snickers and chuckles was all Tobi could hear as they went further into the distance.
"I'll be looking for you tomorrow. Don't forget the money or you're dead."
After that was silence. Tobi lay on the ground covered in dirt, blood, and vomit. His school supplies were scattered across the alley, his backpack thrown in the trash. The boy didn't move a muscle. It was as if he was dead. His dark pupils only stared at the wall ahead. For a moment…he felt empty. It was becoming more common each day.
"...Ha…hahaha…" A weak and quiet chuckle.
It was okay. He could endure. As long as he had his family, he would endure. Chris had a wealthy family. The bully's father was a member of the board. Gotham City High School. A rotting school in a rotting city.
Slowly, Tobi rose to his feet and gathered his things. He then wiped as much dirt and grime off his clothes and messy dark hair…well…as much as he could anyway. More injuries on his face.
'Looks like I need more band aids.' He thought.
…
…
…
The chemistry teacher stood in front of the whiteboard. His lecture was long winded and boring. Only the most studious of students would be able to follow along. It didn't seem as if the teacher cared whether his class truly learned or not.
Eventually, his voice was cut off by the sound of the door opening. All of the students turned toward the source. It was an obvious stimuli, one that allowed them just a few seconds to escape the lecture.
Tobi stepped into the classroom. Ignoring everyone…he went to his desk and sat down. His head immediately slumped down onto his arms. He didn't plan on listening to the teacher either.
The chemistry teacher frowned at the obvious lack of respect. Ignoring the dried blood, dirt, and terrible smell…he cleared his throat. This wasn't the first time Tobi had come in late. It probably wouldn't be the last time either. Most people knew to avoid Chris. Tobi was just unlucky.
"Tobi, you're late. I'm marking you as truant today." The teacher declared.
"........." Tobi didn't bother to respond. He only closed his eyes. He was exhausted.
The teacher only sighed before continuing his lesson. Eventually, the bell rang. Students immediately jumped up from their seats and rushed out of the classroom.
"The bell doesn't dismiss you! I do." He declared. His words were ignored.
With a sigh, the only adult grabbed his things and left the classroom. That left only two other students in the class. A girl with light brown hair and pale blue eyes…and Tobi.
She stared at the boy that didn't move from his desk. Walking over to him, she pulled up a chair and sat down. Time passed as the girl watched him sleep. Eventually, she tapped his cheek.
"Tobi? Tobi…wake up." She called softly.
After countless pokes and shakes, the boy finally opened his eyes. He looked at her for a moment before closing his eyes again. Only then did he speak.
"You can go home, Barbara."
"Not until you get up. I'm walking you out of the gate." Barbara Gordon said.
"...That would only make it worse."
"Siiigh…" The girl huffed at his response. Only then did she run her fingers through his messy hair, wiping the gook away. "You should tell the principle." She finally said.
"...That would only get me expelled."
The system was rigged. Just another day in this trash heap of a city. There was no point in talking about it. Growing up in such a place…every part of life was rigged in some way.
Barbara…this girl didn't start talking to Tobi until he ran into Chris. It was as if she'd been watching the bastard for a long time. Looking for the right moment…hoping for a change. Nobody liked Chris and his little gang. Obviously.
"Are you going to stay here forever?" She asked.
"...I might."
"You'll get kicked out by security during their patrol."
"Not if I'm quiet."
"What about your family? Won't they be worried about you?"
This got a rise out of Tobi. He finally lifted his head and looked at her. A slight smile appeared on his lips. Seeing his expression, Barbara couldn't help but smile as well. Tobi had a way about doing things…it didn't help that he was handsome. In a bad boy type of way.
"Fine…you win. Let's go."
"Haha! This always works on you."
"...Whatever." He grunted with a smile.
The two finally got up and left the classroom. Tobi moved slowly, his body aching and wounds flaring up. Barbara noticed but didn't say anything. She did crinkle her nose though.
"Tobi, you smell like crap."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"It wasn't a compliment."
Their conversation continued as they made their way toward the campus gate. Chris and his goons could be seen standing around at the entrance. Almost as if they were waiting for someone.
It didn't take long for them to notice Tobi approaching. They were about to grab him until they saw the girl walking with him. Damnit. The police commissioner's daughter. Chris gave Tobi a death stare before walking off with his group.
Tobi shook his head before ignoring them. He would never understand why a bully could become so obsessed with hurting others. Hurting people that didn't do anything to you. There was something mental about it that Tobi sometimes tried to understand.
"You're welcome." Barbara said after they walked a good distance away.
"Thanks I guess."
"That's not how you should say it."
"...Thanks."
"Don't sweat it. See you tomorrow, Tobi." She ruffled his hair before walking off.
Tobi smiled before going on his own way. He failed to notice Barbara turning a corner and disappearing. She trailed him in the shadows.
The young man walked down a few blocks before making some turns. Eventually, he reached a neighborhood that was beaten down and dirty. It was definitely a place most people would refer to as the slums…or the ghetto.
Gangsters could be found loitering on the corners. Countless eyes locked onto Tobi…but moved away just as quickly. They nodded to each other as if it was another day.
"Tobi!" A voice called out from afar.
The tired boy turned to see an older man approaching. A gangster. One that was friends with his father. This guy wore a baseball cap, a wife beater, and some denim jeans. There wasn't a single part of him without jewelry…and he was tatted all over.
"Tyler. What's up man?"
The two shook hands with a peculiar handshake. There was a certain swag to it. Tyler offered his cigarette, and Tobi took a hit.
"You look like shit, homie. Those guys fuck you up again?" He asked with a frown. Tobi didn't answer. Instead, he asked his own question.
"Everyone is out in full force today. Did something happen?"
Tyler put his arm around Tobi's shoulder. After taking another hit of his cig, he blew the smoke in the boy's face. What an asshole move.
"If you look over to your left, you'll find some uppity fuckers in suits." He spoke with a low voice. Tobi glanced over in a casual manner.
Several figures in suits and ties were going from door to door. They all came and went from a van that carried its own logo. Janus Real Estate. Wait…Janus? Weren't they supposed to be a cosmetics company? When did they go into real estate?
"I see them…but what about it?" Tobi spoke up.
"Fuckers are trying to kick everybody out the hood. Using legal shit to ruin lives. We've been keeping them at bay…but they got the law on their side."
"...Shit."
"Finally understand?"
"My family can't afford to move. If we get kicked out…we'll be on the streets." Tobi realized.
"Don't trip, homie. If they knock on your door…just say no. We'll handle it."
"Will do."
This neighborhood wasn't all bad. Yes, life was difficult…but it had a community. The gang members were almost like neighborhood security. They watched over their own people. Those living here.
"Aye. Before you go…wanna join the Viper Gang?" Tyler asked. Tobi shook his head.
"My mom would have a heart attack if I did."
"Well…think about it. We'll take care of those kids beating you up if you do."
"Catch you later, man." Tobi kept walking.
Barbara watched the whole interaction while hidden. Her eyes were calm and calculating. It seems that she'd discovered more than she expected.
'He has gang relations.' She thought.
After learning this new shred of info, she turned away. It was time to go home. Home sweet home.